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Canada Brock McGillis has transitioned from professional hockey player to an influential speaker and LGBTQ+ activist, promoting inclusion and mental health awareness across sports and corporate sectors.
The MJHL has partnered with Brock McGillis multiple times to deliver virtual presentations to all MJHL teams and stakeholders, focusing on creating inclusive cultures.
Brock McGillis launched the U.S. leg of his 'Culture Shift Tour' at the Kraken Community Iceplex, organized by the One Roof Foundation, where he met with players and delivered presentations to promote inclusion.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Brock McGillis in 2020 to conduct a virtual workshop for their personnel about homophobia, making them the first NHL team to formally work with him on this topic.
Brock McGillis is featured as a speaker on "Shifting the Culture," discussing his role as the first openly gay men's professional hockey player, public speaker, and leading activist in the LGBTQ2S+ space.
Brock McGillis, born on October 1, 1983, in Coniston, Ontario, Canada, is a former professional ice hockey goaltender and a prominent LGBTQ+ activist. His playing career spanned from 2001 to 2010, during which he played for several teams, including the Windsor Spitfires and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He also played for the Kalamazoo Wings in the United Hockey League (UHL) and the Duindam Wolves Den Haag in the Netherlands. After his professional hockey career, McGillis attended Concordia University in Montréal, playing for the Concordia Stingers.
In November 2016, McGillis publicly came out as gay, becoming one of the first professional hockey players to do so. This turning point marked his transition from athlete to activist. He has since dedicated his efforts to advocating for LGBT+ issues within North American ice hockey, working to combat homophobia and promote a more inclusive environment. His activism led him to become a highly sought-after public speaker, addressing corporations, organizations, events, and schools across North America. He focuses on topics such as mental health awareness, breaking down barriers, and fostering inclusion. His impactful work has earned him significant recognition and numerous accolades.
McGillis is known for his “Culture Shift Tour,” which aims to evolve hockey culture. He has worked with various organizations, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hired him in 2020 to conduct a virtual workshop on homophobia for their personnel. This marked the very first time an NHL team collaborated with him. He also launched the Alphabet Sports Collective in January 2022, an organization designed to support LGBTQ+ individuals in the hockey community. His contributions to fostering equity and inclusion have made him a significant voice in both sports and social advocacy.
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